Cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha induces intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction

► The expression of TLR5 was observed in the colon epithelium. ► Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients express high levels of TLR5 in the colon epithelium. ► Flagellin activates TLR5 increases TNFα production in the colon epithelium. ► The autocrine TNFα compromises intestinal epithelial barrier function.